They came the next day. The first one was tall and wore a green blanket. White Earth did not look nor answer him when he spoke.
The stranger stood very still, and then his blanket changed into leaves, and Usama the tobacco plant fell down to the ground.
The next visitor was very short and round. He could not walk fast. The girl did not say one word when he asked her to look at him. She did not see him, but her brother was watching, and he laughed when Wapako the pumpkin rolled over and down the hill. The girl was very wise and knew how to keep silent.
Eshkossim the melon and Kokees the bean came together and called to White Earth the maiden to welcome them. She did not answer, and they fell down the same as the two who had come before them.
Soon she heard a strong voice calling to her the fifth time. The girl untied the strings that fastened her [[138]]door, and looking up she saw a very tall chief with feathers in his scalp lock. She loved his voice, for it was like the wind in the pine trees. She said: “You are welcome, Dahmin. I will take you to my brother. He will call you Mondahmin.”
The brother gave his sister White Earth to Mondahmin, for the Good Spirit had sent him to her.
After the wedding feast a great wind came, and then much rain. In a few days the ground was covered with the green leaves of growing plants. Usama the tobacco had come with all of his tribe to give gifts to the great chief Mondahmin the corn plant. Wapako the pumpkin, Eshkossim the melon, and Kokees the bean, all brought many gifts to Mondahmin and his wife. They promised to bring the same gifts each year as long as the rains should come and the sun give his light and make them warm.
Mondahmin and his wife gave thanks to the Good Spirit. They taught their children these things. The Indians call Mondahmin their grandfather, and they do all the things he told them. The Indians do not forget to give thanks for the corn, bean, pumpkin, and melon.
Schoolcraft. [[139]]